In a widely circulated report, the United States Initiative for Peace (USIP), a body set up by the US Congress, had stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is likely to emerge victorious in the 2019 Presidential election. It also added that steps must be taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to avert violence in about eight States including Lagos, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Adamawa, Rivers and Anambra.
In its reaction couched in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO welcomed the conclusion and the scientific approach USIP employed to arrive at that conclusion.
“We are impressed that the USIP said the report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors and that ‘though many Nigerians feel that the current administration has not fully met their aspirations, this is not likely to cost the All Progressive Congress (APC) government its hold on power’.
“We note also that the original intention of the survey was to sample Nigerians’ opinions on the possibility of violence during the elections and whether they think that the elections will be free and fair”.
BMO says it is gratifying that the prediction of Buhari’s victory was an added value flowing from responses of the sampled populace.
The group says it is also instructive that this report is by a “credible, authoritative body, founded, funded, and answerable to an arm of the United States Government; an incorruptible, non-partisan and uncompromisable agency.
“This is unlike commercial entities that are ready to sell to the highest bidder, and whose predictions are often porous, opaque, unreliable, off the mark and whose voodoo methodologies are often shrouded in secrecy”.